Suitcase Convertible Into A Cot

ABSTRACT

A suitcase ( 10 ) comprises a rear wall ( 12 ), side walls ( 14 ) and a lid ( 26 ); the lid ( 26 ) having a padded area ( 34 ) on an inside surface thereof, and a fabric curtain ( 28 ) disposed around at least a portion of the padded area ( 34 ). The lid ( 26 ) is removable and adapted to fit inside the suitcase ( 10 ) over the rear wall ( 12 ) with the padded area ( 34 ) facing away from the rear wall ( 12 ) with the fabric curtain ( 28 ) being extendable between the inside surface of the lid ( 26 ) and the side walls ( 14 ).

The present invention relates to an improved suitcase.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

When travelling with a small child, it is often necessary to take atravel cot for the child to sleep in. A conventional travel cot istypically a heavy bulky item, comprised of a metal frame with plasticsconnectors supporting a fabric inner. A covered board or the like mayform the base of the cot, which is placed over the fabric inner andrests on a central metal support leg. Cots of this nature are effective,but even when collapsed, they take up a large amount of travel space,for example, in a vehicle or aircraft. Also, they are heavy to carry,typically around 10 kg. When travelling with a child, pushchair,clothing, change bag, food and drink, the additional burden of carryinga travel cot can be a considerable inconvenience and may also be costly,for example, if flying.

This problem has been addressed to some extent in, for example, U.S.Pat. No. 5,212,841, in which a combination carry-cot and case isdisclosed. In this device, a metal framework of telescopic legs andconnecting spars extend from within the open suitcase. Fabric wallsextend from the framework to the case to form sidewalls. The lid ishinged to the suitcase. This device includes a metal framework, similarto a conventional travel cot. Advantageously, the framework is storedand transported within the suitcase, but the device is heavy and spaceinside the suitcase is limited by the framework. Also, the footprint ofthe device, when in use as a cot, is very large, because the lid is laidopen to the side of the sleeping area.

WO 2006/123171 discloses a similar device utilising a metal framework,which is adapted to be carried within a suitcase. It suffers similarproblems to the device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,841.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved suitcase whichcan be converted into a cot for a child to sleep in, whilst travelling.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a suitcasecomprising a rear wall, side walls and a lid; the lid having a paddedarea on an inside surface thereof, and a fabric curtain disposed aroundat least a portion of the padded area; the lid being removable andadapted to fit inside the suitcase over the rear wall with the paddedarea facing away from the rear wall, and the fabric curtain beingextendable between the inside surface of the lid and the side walls.

With the lid removed, inverted, and placed inside the suitcase againstthe rear wall, the suitcase converts into a cot for a child. The childmay sleep in the suitcase, resting on the padded area of the lid. Sincethe lid is entirely within the suitcase in this configuration, thesuitcase takes up only the same amount of floorspace as it does when thelid is closed.

The fabric curtain, when extended between the inside surface of the lidand the side walls, provides a wall sloping upwardly around the edges ofthe padded area. The child is thus provided with a comfortable sleepingarea.

The padded area and fabric curtain may be retained within a pocket onthe inside of the lid, when not in use. The padded area and fabriccurtain are thus kept clean whilst the suitcase is being used totransport clothing or other articles. If the fabric curtain is asuitable length and the child remains lying down, then the parts of thesuitcase which are in contact with the child are completely isolatedfrom the parts which are in contact with items being transported.Retaining the padded area and fabric curtain in the pocket also limitsthe possibility that the padded area or fabric curtain are damaged whenthe suitcase is in use for transporting articles.

The pocket may be made from a water resistant material, which may beplastics. This protects the sleeping area from any spillage of liquidarticles in transit, and also enables the sleeping area to be sealed offfrom the suitcase and its contents if it becomes soiled in use.

The pocket may alternatively be made from a mesh material. A meshmaterial allows the padded area and fabric curtain to be aired when notin use, preventing them from becoming smelly.

The pocket may be zip fastened on at least three sides.

The padded area may be removable. A removable padded area may be washedand replaced. Several interchangeable padded cushions may be provided,so that one may be used whilst others are being cleaned or dried.

The fabric curtain may be fastened to the inside surface of the lid, andmay be removable. A removable fabric curtain may be cleaned, as with aremovable padded area.

The fabric curtain may be fastenable to an inside surface of the sidewalls. With the lid inverted and in place covering the rear wall, thefabric curtain may be extended and fixed to the inside of the sidewalls. In this way, the fabric curtain can extend upwardly and outwardlyfrom the lid, creating a sloping wall around the padded area for a childto rest against whilst sleeping.

The fabric curtain may be fastenable to an inside surface of the sidewalls by zip fastener. A zip fastener provides a substantiallycontinuous connection between the side walls and the fabric curtain,which is easy to make but will not come undone unintentionally. Onemating part of the zip fastener may be stitched to a fabric lining ofthe suitcase.

The fabric curtain may be made from a mesh fabric. A child may sleep onthe padded area, and may move onto its side, with its face restingagainst the fabric curtain. Use of a mesh fabric ensures that the childin this position is able to breathe through the fabric curtain. With themesh fabric curtain stretched taut between the inside surface of the lidand the inside surface of the side walls, an ‘air bumper’ is created.This prevents the child from ending up with his or her face against thesolid wall of the suitcase, and ensures that the child can alwaysbreathe.

The lid may incorporate a stiff planar member on which the padded arealies. The stiff planar member serves to provide a flat surface forsleeping. The suitcase may be a rolling suitcase, including aconventional extendable handle. In this case, the extendable handle maybe disposed between the rear wall and a lining of the suitcase, andwould be very uncomfortable for a child to sleep on. Providing a stiffplanar member in the lid obviates this problem by providing a barrierbetween the sleeping child and the uneven surface at the rear of thesuitcase.

A carry handle may be disposed inside the suitcase. The carry handle maybe folded out and used for carrying the case when a child is sleepinginside. The carry handle may be substantially bow shaped.

The carry handle may be movable between a stowed position substantiallyparallel with the base to an operative position substantiallyperpendicular to the base. In the stowed position, the handle may becompletely within the side walls of the case, allowing the lid to befitted to the case. In the operative position, the carry handle mayextend from the inside of the side walls, out of and over an open sideof the case.

A hood may be attachable to the carry handle and may extend between thecarry handle and the upper end of the side walls of the suitcase, at oneend of the suitcase. The hood may comprise of a resiliently deformablerib, and two portions of stretchable fabric, one portion extending fromeither side of the rib. An outer edge of one portion of fabric may beadapted to releasably attach to the upper end of the side walls of thesuitcase, and an outer edge of the other portion of fabric may beadapted to releasably attach to the carry handle. The portion of fabricwhich is attachable to the carry handle may include fixing means whichallow an end of the fabric portion to be folded back on itself and fixedto form a loop at the end of the fabric portion. In use, the end of thefabric portion may be looped over the carry handle and then fixed toform a loop.

Pockets may be provided on the inside of the side walls of the case forreceiving the resiliently deformable rib of the hood. In use, the ribcan be bent into a curve, with the ends substantially parallel to eachother. The ends of the rib may then be introduced into the pockets inthe side walls of the case. When the hood is not required, the ends ofthe rib may be removed. The rib will naturally spring out into astraight line for convenient storage.

A removable fabric bag may be disposed within the suitcase for packingitems for carriage. This bag allows items for carriage to be isolatedfrom the child's sleeping area, protecting both the items for carriageand the child's sleeping area from soiling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show moreclearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made byway of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a suitcase according to theinvention, with the lid removed;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a lid of the suitcase of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective cut-away view of the suitcase of FIG. 1,fitted with the lid of FIG. 2 in a condition suitable for carryingluggage;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the suitcase of FIG. 1, with the lidof FIG. 2 removed, inverted and placed within the suitcase, in acondition suitable for use as a cot for a child; and

FIG. 5 shows a perspective cut-away view of the suitcase as in FIG. 4,with a hood extended.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring firstly to FIG. 1, a suitcase is indicated generally at 10.The suitcase includes a rear wall 12, four side walls 14, and issubstantially cuboidal having one open face opposing the rear wall 12.

One mating part of a first zip fastener 16 is disposed around an upperedge of the four side walls 14. The first zip fastener 16 extendssubstantially all the way around all four side walls 14.

One mating part of a second zip fastener 18 is disposed all the wayaround the interior of the four side walls 14. The second zip fastener18 is fixed to a lining of the side walls 14, and is spaced from theupper edge of the side walls 14.

Brackets 20 are provided, one on the interior of each of two opposingside walls. The brackets 20 are disposed substantially centrally betweenthe ends of the case, and at a point on each side wall which is betweenthe first zip fastener 16 and the second zip fastener 18. The brackets20 hold a carry handle 22, which is rotatably mounted on the brackets20. The carry handle 22 is shown in a stowed position in FIG. 1, inwhich the handle is substantially horizontal and is disposed within thesuitcase, between the side walls 14. A stretchable fabric hood 24extends between the carry handle and the side wall 14 at one end of thecase, and is shown in a folded condition in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a lid suitable for closing the suitcase 10 isindicated generally at 26. In the Figure, the lid is shown with itsunderside facing upwards, that is, when the lid is used for closing thesuitcase it is the side facing upwards in the Figure which would form aninterior wall of the closed suitcase.

The other mating part of the first zip fastener 16 extends all the wayaround the outer edge of the lid 26. In this way, the lid may befastened to the suitcase 10 with a seal being formed by the first zipfastener 16 around the perimeter of the lid 26. When access to thesuitcase 10 is required, the first zip fastener 16 may be undone aroundthree sides of the lid, and the lid folded away from the suitcase 10.The first zip fastener 16 may also be undone around all four sides ofthe lid, and the lid 26 completely removed from the suitcase 10.

The lid 26 includes a stiff planar member, which may be integral withthe lid itself or may be fixed to the underside of the lid. The stiffplanar member provides for a flat sleeping surface when the lid isplaced over an uneven surface.

A fabric curtain 28 is fixed to the underside of the lid 26, or as thecase may be to the stiff planar member. The fabric curtain 28 is formedas an endless band of fabric, having two edges. One edge of the fabriccurtain 28 is removably attached to the underside of the lid 26, or tothe stiff planar member. The fabric curtain 28 is attached to the lid 26inward of the edges of the lid, so that there is a space between theedge of the lid and the fabric curtain. The other mating part of thesecond zip fastener 18 is disposed around the unattached edge of thefabric curtain. In use, the second zip fastener 18 may be fastened, sothat the fabric curtain extends between the underside of the lid 26 andthe side walls 14 of the suitcase 10.

The fabric curtain 28 is attached to the lid 10 via poppers. The fabriccurtain is therefore removable for cleaning, and is replaceable if itbecomes irreparably damaged.

A substantially rectangular cover member 30 is attached to the lid 26 atone side, and a third zip fastener 32 extends around the other threesides of the cover member 30. In this way, the cover member 30 and thelid 26 define a closable pocket, within which the fabric curtain 28 isdisposed. When it is required to deploy the fabric curtain as describedabove, the pocket may be opened. When the lid 26 is to be placed on thesuitcase 10, the pocket may be closed to protect the fabric curtain fromthe contents of the suitcase, which might be dirty, pointed, orotherwise likely to damage or soil the fabric curtain 28.

FIG. 3 shows the suitcase 10 with the lid 26 fitted. That is, thesuitcase is closed and in a condition suitable for the transportation ofluggage. The fabric curtain 28 is disposed within the pocket defined bythe cover member 30 and the lid 26. A padded member 34 can also be seenin this Figure, disposed inside the pocket with the fabric curtain. Thepadded member 34 provides a comfortable sleeping surface for a child.

In FIG. 3, the carry handle 22 is in a stowed position, and the hood 24is folded down.

FIG. 4 shows the suitcase 10 in a condition suitable for accommodating asleeping child. The lid 26 is placed within the suitcase 10, between theside walls 14, with the underside facing upwards, towards the open sideof the suitcase 10. The cover member (30) is opened and the fabriccurtain 28 is extended from the lid 26 to meet the inside of the sidewalls 14 of the suitcase. The second zip fastener 18 is engaged to holdthe fabric curtain 28 in place.

FIG. 5 shows a cut-away view of the suitcase in substantially the samecondition as in FIG. 4. The lid 26 can be seen beneath the padded member34 and the fabric curtain 28. In FIG. 5, the carry handle 22 has beenrotated upwardly in brackets 20. The stretchable fabric hood 24 is thusstretched between the carry handle 22 and the side wall 14 at one end ofthe case 10.

The suitcase provides an ideal solution for those travelling with asmall child. The suitcase may be used conventionally for transportingclothing and other luggage, and no separate cot needs to be carried.Following arrival at the destination, the suitcase may be unpacked andquickly converted for use as a comfortable and safe cot for the child tosleep in. Similarly, the cot can be converted back into a suitcase withease. A separate fabric bag may be provided inside the suitcase forenabling simple emptying of articles transported in the case by removalof the bag.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, andvarious changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled inthe art without departing from the scope of the present invention asdefined by the appended claims.

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A suitcase comprising a rear wall, side walls and alid; the lid having a padded area on an inside surface thereof, and afabric curtain disposed around at least a portion of the padded area;the lid being removable and adapted to fit inside the suitcase over therear wall with the padded area facing away from the rear wall, and thefabric curtain being extendable between the inside surface of the lidand the side walls.
 19. The suitcase as claimed in claim 18, in whichthe padded area and fabric curtain are retained within a pocket on theinside of the lid, when not in use.
 20. The suitcase as claimed in claim19, in which the pocket is made from a mesh material.
 21. The suitcaseas claimed in claim 19, in which the pocket is zip fastened on at leastthree sides.
 22. The suitcase as claimed in claim 18, in which thepadded area is removable.
 23. The suitcase as claimed in claim 18, inwhich the fabric curtain is fastened to the inside surface of the lid.24. The suitcase as claimed in claim 19, in which the fabric curtain isfastenable to an inside surface of the side walls.
 25. The suitcase asclaimed in claim 24, in which the fabric curtain is fastenable to theinside surface of the side walls by zip fastener.
 26. The suitcase asclaimed in claim 25, in which one mating part of the zip fastener isstitched to a fabric lining of the suitcase.
 27. The suitcase as claimedin claim 18, in which the fabric curtain is made from a mesh fabric. 28.The suitcase as claimed in claim 18, in which the lid incorporates astiff planar member on which the padded area lies.
 29. The suitcase asclaimed in claim 18, in which a carry handle is disposed inside thesuitcase.
 30. The suitcase as claimed in claim 29, in which the carryhandle is substantially bow shaped.
 31. The suitcase as claimed in claim29, in which the carry handle is movable between a stowed positionsubstantially parallel with the base to an operative positionsubstantially perpendicular to the base.
 32. The suitcase as claimed inclaim 31, in which a hood is attached to the carry handle and extendsbetween the carry handle and an upper end of the side walls of thesuitcase, at one end of the suitcase.
 33. The suitcase as claimed inclaim 18, in which a removable fabric bag is disposed within thesuitcase for packing items for carriage.